Spirit in Our Midst

Kincumber

The Congregation of the Christian Brothers and those who intentionally share in the charism of Edmund Rice continue to be moved by the Spirit to grow in awareness of their call to live and work within a mission-inpsired community. As such we invite the Spirit to enter our lives to deepen our own heart responses to the Mystery through contemplation, spiritual practices and participation in formation opportunities. Formation opportunites range from retreat experiences through to interest-group gatherings which focus on particular areas such as indigenous spirtuality, the new cosmology and ecology, missiology, mysticism, inter-faith dialogue and social justice principles and action.

Given our call to participate in God's mission, the Christian Brothers and members of the Edmund Rice Network are encouraged to engage regularly with theological reflection upon the Jesus story in the light of emerging knowledges such as the new science and contmeporary global movements. Further to this, there is a strong commitment to an on-going exploration of the Edmund Rice charism and the implications of this for community living and ministry expressions.

As a charism-inspired community committed to live in solidarity with the whole earth community and to walk with those whom society has marginalised (Oceania Mission Statement, 2008) we value the opportunity to engage with spiritual practice as a basis for action and reflection. Formation opportunties connect us at the deepest level of oneness and challenge us to journey into the Mystery present within all.

Formation opportunities weave together three dimensions at the heart of being brother and in being in right relationship with the whole Earth community. These dimensions are Contemplative Presence, Compassionate Presence and Liberating Presence. These dimensions resonate with insights that define Edmund's charism as it was lived out two hundred years ago. Edmund's charism is characterised as having a unique faith vision – for Rice this was presence; a unique form o f living – the call to wholeness that is attractive and dynamic – for Rice this was compassion; a unique response – for Rice this was liberation. (McLaughlin, 2007, p.251).

This page is dedicated to listing some of these formation opportunities with links to where detailed information is available.

Our own Centres which provide Reflection and Formation opportunities are listed at Retreat and Spirituality Centres 

Programmes Provided by other Organizations

Other Institutions which provide these services are welcome to request a listing on this page.

Ignatian Spirituality Centres

These are situated in NSW, Vic, Qld and SA and provide a wide range of programmes.

Earthsong

Is sponsored by eight religious congregations (one of which is the Christian Brothers). EarthSong aims to promote earth ethics and earth literacy. It works very closely with Edmund Rice Oceania and provides formation programmes. See FLYER

Specific Events which could Benefit ERN Members

Form and Meaning: an intensive (Sydney NSW)

This is a short course on Scripture and Missiology offered by the Broken Bay Institute NSW.
It can be taken as part of a larger programme as a single unit of study.
It is presented by Anthony Gittins and Dianne Bergant, both renowned scholars.

Being Sexual, Celibate and Intimate  (Brisbane Qld)

This is a lecture sponsored by the Catholic Religious Australia (Qld branch).

It is presented by Lynn Levo csj and covers topics covering healthy integrated sexuality, celibacy, relationships, intimacy and mutuality in community. 

  Introducing Islam: (Sydnet NSW)

 This is a lecture sponsored by the Catholic Institute Sydney.

It is presented by Dr Patrick McInerney. To read some of his work on this topic Click Here